need help: rear suspension jitters whike switching lanes and turning right

[OrangeSS2011.5]

So let me start out by explaining what happened. I was driving in CT (where I am stationed) and it began to snow. I was taking a turn and the rear got away from me. Me being from AZ instinctively pressed the brakes to stop....I slid directly into a curb and bent my driver side rear suspension. Once I got the car back from the repair shop I noted that on the highway when switching lanes to the right, or hitting uneven roads caused the rear end to wiggle more than usual. Below I listed the replaced parts:

1 K-frame (subframe)
1 upper control arm
1 lower control arm
1 stabilizer
1 stabilizer link
1 hub
1 rotor
1 trail arm
1 shock absorber
1 Knuckle
1 Lower trail arm bushing
as well as all the bolts

Basically they replaced the whole left rear suspension minus the axle because it didn't appear bent. The rim was replaced and all the wheels were aligned and balanced. As I said the car jitters while turning right or switching lanes on the highway (between 70-80 mph) and it even shakes on uneven roads (25-30 mph). I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out the problem. I read a few things on the forums about inner-upper bush/joint ferule being cracked and rear bushings being damaged as well as possible loose bolts. Are there any other possible problems I should tell the auto shop to look at before I take the car back to them? Possibly looking at all bushings on the car? rear and front? Please help. Thanks

[dragon22]

Were they sure your rear end wasn't impacted? It doesn't "jitter" when turning left? Wondering if there is something with the side gears or bearings in the diff?

Or, I'm assuming they put it on an alignment machine. Or frame machine? Did they give you a copy of the printout? Is everything in spec?

I would take it back and take the mechanic for a ride. You drive and show him what it does. Then let him drive if he wants to experience it for himself. Sounds to me like something is still out of whack and after replacing all that, I hope it is a problem with the installation and not something that was missed.

Also, there is no rim in all that. Is the rim okay? Seems funny that all that would be damaged and the rim be okay?

Did insurance pay, or you?

[camaro4mybday]

i would have it checked for squareness, if you hit it that hard where you had to change the subframe there is possible chassis damage, i cant say for sure with out seeing it but that is where id start

[OrangeSS2011.5]

@ Dragon22: I do have a print out of the alignment but I have no idea what the specs are supposed to be...they just aligned it for me. Where can I get the specs? And yes I replaced the rim with a brand new one.

@camaro4mybday: They only replaced the subframe because the "tabs" where the lower control arm bolts on were bent. While they had the subframe off I think they looked at the body and it was straight. Ill have to ask.

[dragon22]

I'm going to try to post this again.

Here are the specs out of the manual. It will give you a reference to the readings you have on the printout. It's funny there are no specs on the printout. How do they know what to align it to? Hmmm....

Any of the new computerized machines I used would print out the specs, ranges and live readings...

[OrangeSS2011.5]

@ Dragon22: Thanks alot! What I meant was I have a print out and it does have readings but I didn't know what the original specs were....this helps. I'll see if they can realign it to these specs and maybe that's the problem. Thanks again.

[dragon22]

No problem. Your car has not been lowered has it? If it has, it could affect the factory specs and you would have to talk to the company that you got the springs and such from. I forgot to add that.

I hope this helps you out and fixes your problem.

One of my foremen had me check the alignment on his car. We went out for a road test before and it was a fight to keep it in a straight line. I don't know how he even drove it.

I checked the alignment and it was set to -1° Camber, and the toe was -1/4" toe out. (Can't remember what the Caster was).

I realigned it to +1° Camber and set the toe to 1/16" toe in. Plus whatever the caster spec was. When I was done he drove it and said it handled better than it did when he first bought it!

I think the guy that aligned it before me hated him. LOL LOL

There's a lot to be said for factory specs. LOL

[OrangeSS2011.5]

@Dragon22 no it hasn't been lower I just had the suspension replaced....I plan on adding Pedders suspension later when I can afford it but until then I just want my stock ride back lol. Ill keep you updated on the situation...I hope this fixes it....

[dragon22]

Good luck on this and yes, keep us posted!

[trucker north]

The half shaft IS BENT .and not aligned right .

[OrangeSS2011.5]

@trucker north: wouldn't a bent half shaft cause noises and shake in a straight line?

[OrangeSS2011.5]

@all: I got my car back, it seems to be fixed now. The problem was the suspension was torqued piece by piece. This time the mechanic took it all apart again and tightened it up slowly piece by piece then torqued all the bolts down to spec. Thanks for all your help everyone.

[dragon22]

That's even better news than I was figuring you would get! Nice one! Funny what following a few torque patterns will do, hey?

Now you can enjoy the beast again!

Kinda makes me wonder though...did they not test drive it after it was all done the first time?

[OrangeSS2011.5]

@Dragon 22: no they didn't test drive it per say. They drove it down the street to their tire/rim contractor but they never went over 20 mph...thanks again for all your help.